Westbrook recalls "the punt" in retirement announcement

Wednesday

Aug 29, 2012 at 12:01 AMAug 29, 2012 at 5:40 PM

By Ed KraczStaff writer

PHILADELPHIA — He ran and caught his way into the Eagles' record books, yet, when asked what his most memorable moment was during his eight years with the Eagles, Brian Westbrook recalled one punt return.

It came on Oct. 19, 2003, against the New York Giants. The Eagles trailed 10-7 with less than two minutes to play when the Giants foolishly punted the ball to Westbrook, who made them pay with an 84-yard touchdown return. The score came with just 1:34 to play in the game and gave the Birds a 14-10 win.

At the time, the Eagles were 2-3 and about to fall to 2-4. Instead, the return spurred a nine-game winning streak and a run in which the team won 10 of their last 11 games to finish 12-4 and capture a third straight NFC East title.

The reason Westbrook remembers it is because it was, he said, a total team play.

“Guys rushed the punter, made him kick a bad kick,” said Westbrook. “One of the best punters in the league, they made him just kick a bad ball and I was able to catch the ball off the hop. It was actually 10 guys — and it’s rare that this happens — it was 10 guys blocking. I made a couple people miss here and there, but 10 guys blocking.”

On Wednesday, Westbrook officially retired as an Eagle. He will be honored at halftime of the team's Dec. 23 game against the Redskins.

Westbrook was the consummate team player on his way into the Eagles history.

A third-round draft pick in 2002 out of Villanova University, Westbrook played in 107 games (85 starts) in eight seasons with the Eagles from 2002-09. He currently ranks second in franchise history in rushing yards (5,995), and third in receptions (426) and total touchdowns (68). Among Eagles running backs all-time, he leads the list in receptions, receiving yards (3,790) and receiving touchdowns (29).

He played in 11 playoff games with the team, ranking first in club history in career rushing yards (591) and total touchdowns (6).

A two-time Pro Bowler, he finished as the club's leader with 9,785 total yards from scrimmage. He is one of six players in NFL history to post 30-plus rushing (41) and receiving touchdowns (30) in a career. His best season came in 2007, when he led the NFL with 2,104 scrimmage yards en route to Pro Bowl and All Pro honors.

“Nobody loved to play the game like Brian did,” said Eagles head coach Andy Reid. “I mean, this guy, he could do it all. Obviously, he could run the football but he could catch the football, he could pass protect. You could split him out as a wide receiver. He could play both return games for you. This guy did it all. He’ll go down as one of the all-time great Philadelphia Eagles.

Villanova coach Andy Talley attended Westbrook's announcement as did some of his former teammates. Westbrook was grateful for them all.

“My success is built solely on the shoulders of guys just doing their job,” he said, “and I’m appreciative for that.”